Motown was a record company on West Grand Boulevard in Detroit, Michigan. It was founded by Barry Gordy Jr. in September on 1959.
Why is it called Motown?
Motown is named after Detroit, which is also known as the Motor City. Detroit is center for car manufactures such as Chrysler and Ford.
What genres did they record?
Motown recorded genres from rhythm and blues to soul to Hip Hop to Pop rock.
What artists did they record?
Motown recorded The Funk Brothers, The Temptations, Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, Martha and the Vandellas, The Velvettes, and many more.
Figure 2. Berry Gordy Jr.
How did Barry Gordy and Motown influence the time period?
Barry Gordy and Motown was very influential to aspiring black entrepreneurs and musicians, for he was able to help many people gain job opportunities. He also made it his mission to break the race barriers in music, that the music industry had set up. Motown was able to reach out to both the black and white community and make their music for all races. Motown also influenced other record companies in other cities, such as Chess Records in Chicago, Illinois. “Into the '60s, I was still not of a frame of mind that we were not only making music, we were making history. But I did recognize the impact because acts were going all over the world at that time. I recognized the bridges that we crossed, the racial problems and the barriers that we broke down with music. I recognized that because I lived it. I would come to the South in the early days of Motown and the audiences would be segregated. Then they started to get the Motown music and we would go back and the audiences were integrated and the kids were dancing together and holding hands.” -Smokey Robinson
Figure 3. Diana Ross & The Surpremes and The Temptaions Album Cover.
Music Produced By Motown:
Song Title: My Girl
Artist: The Temptations
Genre: R&B/Soul
Date Released: December 21, 1964
Explanation: This song was written by Smokey Robinson and Ronald White, who both wrote a series of songs for the Motown artists. The song was inspired by Smokey Robinson's wife. This song is about the unconditional love from the male perspective about his girl. Since this song was released there have been many other covers of it, some of them being other Motown artists.
Song Title: Heard It Through The Grapevine
Artist: Marvin Gaye
Genre: R&B/Soul
Date Released: April 10, 1967
Explanation: This song is about a man who found out his woman was being unfaithful to him, through a series of rumours. Barry Gordy was very hesitant towards allowing Marvin Gaye to record this song, but he was successful in proving Barry Gordy that it was a good choice. This was Marvin Gaye's first #1 hit, and Motown's longest top #1 hit.
Song Title: Reach Out I'll Be There
Figure 4. Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell Album Cover.
Artist: Four Tops
Genre: R&B/Soul
Date Released: August 18, 1966
Explanation: The song was written by Eddie Holland, Lamont Dozier, and Brain Holland. The song was covered by other artists, one being Diana Ross.
Song Title: Please Mr. Postman
Artist: The Marvelettes
Genre: R&B/Soul
Date Released: August 21, 1961
Explanation: This song was originally written as a blues song by William Garrett. But Georgia Dobbins rewrote the song to suit the Motown and the Marvelettes style. Before the song was recorded, Georgia Dobbins left to care for her mother, so Robert Bateman and Brain Holland took over and worked with the Marvelettes. This song was the Marvelettes first single and only #1 hit.
Song Title: Ain't No Mountain High Enough
Figure 5. Jackson 5
Artist: Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
Genre: R&B/Soul
Date Released: August 20, 1967
Explanation: This song was written by Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson. The song was inspired by when Nick Ashford first moved to New York City. The song is about two people who despite their obstacles and distance they will always be there for each other. This song was sung by Diana Ross.
Song Title: My Guy
Artist: Mary Wells
Genre: R&B/Soul
Date Released: March 13, 1964
Explanation: This song was written by Smokey Robinson. The song was based off of the Song by the Temptations "My Girl", but from the female perspective. This song made it across to Britain, and became Motown's first British hit.
Song Title: Where Did Our Love Go
Artist: The Supremes
Genre: R&B/Soul
Date Released:June 17, 1964
Explanation: This song was written by Eddie Holland, Lamont Doizer, and Brian Holland. The song was originally written for the Marvelettes, but they did not like the song so the producers convinced the Supremes to record the song instead. Diana Ross, the lead singer of the Surpremes did not like the song because it was too low. It is said that her bad attitude about the song and the low key was what made the song successful and a #1 hit. This was the Supremes first #1 hit, which changed their nickname from "No-Hit Supremes".
Figure 6. Chrysler Manufacturing Plant in Detroit, MI.
The U.S. Census:
Domestic: In 1960, the U.S. Census shows that Detroit, MI had one of the largest population of African Americans out of all of Michigan. It was also ranked 7th in most populated cities in the United States, including all races. In 2000, 81.6% of the total population in Detroit, MI are African American. Because of the large population of African Americans, Motown did not face the same obstacles that any other African American record company would face in other less African American populated areas. Motown also had the advantage of local appeal. Motown was also widely popular on African American radios, which also helped it become more well known and famous. Motown was also able to appeal to the other races in Detroit, Michigan, and throughout the country. Economic: The U.S. Census tells us that in 2000 out of a total of 35,017 businesses, 55.8% are owned by African Americans. One of these companies being Motown Records, which was begun by Barry Gordy Jr. Motown hired many African American singers, writers, musicians, and composers. They also hired people of other races, which helped their entertainment appeal to other races. Educational: According to the U.S. Census, around 75-98% of children ages 14-17, including all races, attended school in the Detroit area. In 2000, 69.6% of the people in Detroit who attended school, aged 25 and up, graduated from high school, and only 11% received a bachelors degree or higher. Motown took the education of the people in Detroit very seriously. While the Vandellas were still in school, they dreamt of pursuing their musical careers. But Barry Gordy made it very clear to them that they would not allow them to pursue much farther if they did not finish high school. Education was valued because it insured you some kind of future. In the case of the Vandellas, if by some chance their musical career had not worked out, they would still have a good enough education to be hired for a suitable or more desirable job. Having a good education also generally meant you were more respected among other people and other races.
Figure 7. U.S. Census 1960. African American male population in Michigan.
Figure 8. U.S. Census 1960. African American male population in the Detroit, MI area.
Figure 9. U.S. Census 1960. African American female population in Michigan.
Figure 10. U.S. Census 1960. African American female population in the Detroit, MI area.
Figure 11. U.S. Census 1960. Number of children ages 14-17 attending school in Michigan.
Figure 12. U.S. Census 1960. Number of children ages 24-27 attending school in the Detroit, MI area.
More about Motown:
These videos provide a good explanation on the history of Motown and their artists. It explains Motown's journey from the record company for unknown African American artists to being played on both black and white radios.
Deep Soul The Up Rising of Motown: Part 1
Deep Soul The Up Rising of Motown: Part 2
Deep Soul The Up Rising of Motown: Part 3
Deep Soul The Up Rising of Motown: Part 4
Deep Soul The Up Rising of Motown: Part 5
Bibliography:
(2004). Historical Census Browser. Retrieved May 19, 2010, from the University of Virginia, Geospatial and Statistical Data Center: http://fisher.lib.virginia.edu/collections/
stats/histcensus/index.html.
Motown 1959-1972
Figure 1. Motown Logo
A Little About Motown:Where/when did Motown begin?
Motown was a record company on West Grand Boulevard in Detroit, Michigan. It was founded by Barry Gordy Jr. in September on 1959.Why is it called Motown?
Motown is named after Detroit, which is also known as the Motor City. Detroit is center for car manufactures such as Chrysler and Ford.What genres did they record?
Motown recorded genres from rhythm and blues to soul to Hip Hop to Pop rock.What artists did they record?
Motown recorded The Funk Brothers, The Temptations, Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, Martha and the Vandellas, The Velvettes, and many more.
Figure 2. Berry Gordy Jr.
How did Barry Gordy and Motown influence the time period?
Barry Gordy and Motown was very influential to aspiring black entrepreneurs and musicians, for he was able to help many people gain job opportunities. He also made it his mission to break the race barriers in music, that the music industry had set up. Motown was able to reach out to both the black and white community and make their music for all races. Motown also influenced other record companies in other cities, such as Chess Records in Chicago, Illinois.“Into the '60s, I was still not of a frame of mind that we were not only making music, we were making history. But I did recognize the impact because acts were going all over the world at that time. I recognized the bridges that we crossed, the racial problems and the barriers that we broke down with music. I recognized that because I lived it. I would come to the South in the early days of Motown and the audiences would be segregated. Then they started to get the Motown music and we would go back and the audiences were integrated and the kids were dancing together and holding hands.” -Smokey Robinson
Music Produced By Motown:
Song Title: My Girl
Artist: The Temptations
Genre: R&B/Soul
Date Released: December 21, 1964
Explanation: This song was written by Smokey Robinson and Ronald White, who both wrote a series of songs for the Motown artists. The song was inspired by Smokey Robinson's wife. This song is about the unconditional love from the male perspective about his girl. Since this song was released there have been many other covers of it, some of them being other Motown artists.
Song Title: Heard It Through The Grapevine
Artist: Marvin Gaye
Genre: R&B/Soul
Date Released: April 10, 1967
Explanation: This song is about a man who found out his woman was being unfaithful to him, through a series of rumours. Barry Gordy was very hesitant towards allowing Marvin Gaye to record this song, but he was successful in proving Barry Gordy that it was a good choice. This was Marvin Gaye's first #1 hit, and Motown's longest top #1 hit.
Song Title: Reach Out I'll Be There
Artist: Four Tops
Genre: R&B/Soul
Date Released: August 18, 1966
Explanation: The song was written by Eddie Holland, Lamont Dozier, and Brain Holland. The song was covered by other artists, one being Diana Ross.
Song Title: Please Mr. Postman
Artist: The Marvelettes
Genre: R&B/Soul
Date Released: August 21, 1961
Explanation: This song was originally written as a blues song by William Garrett. But Georgia Dobbins rewrote the song to suit the Motown and the Marvelettes style. Before the song was recorded, Georgia Dobbins left to care for her mother, so Robert Bateman and Brain Holland took over and worked with the Marvelettes. This song was the Marvelettes first single and only #1 hit.
Song Title: Ain't No Mountain High Enough
Artist: Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
Genre: R&B/Soul
Date Released: August 20, 1967
Explanation: This song was written by Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson. The song was inspired by when Nick Ashford first moved to New York City. The song is about two people who despite their obstacles and distance they will always be there for each other. This song was sung by Diana Ross.
Song Title: My Guy
Artist: Mary Wells
Genre: R&B/Soul
Date Released: March 13, 1964
Explanation: This song was written by Smokey Robinson. The song was based off of the Song by the Temptations "My Girl", but from the female perspective. This song made it across to Britain, and became Motown's first British hit.
Song Title: Where Did Our Love Go
Artist: The Supremes
Genre: R&B/Soul
Date Released:June 17, 1964
Explanation: This song was written by Eddie Holland, Lamont Doizer, and Brian Holland. The song was originally written for the Marvelettes, but they did not like the song so the producers convinced the Supremes to record the song instead. Diana Ross, the lead singer of the Surpremes did not like the song because it was too low. It is said that her bad attitude about the song and the low key was what made the song successful and a #1 hit. This was the Supremes first #1 hit, which changed their nickname from "No-Hit Supremes".
![15[1].jpg](/file/view/15%5B1%5D.jpg/143647477/15%5B1%5D.jpg "15[1].jpg")
Figure 6. Chrysler Manufacturing Plant in Detroit, MI.
The U.S. Census:
Domestic: In 1960, the U.S. Census shows that Detroit, MI had one of the largest population of African Americans out of all of Michigan. It was also ranked 7th in most populated cities in the United States, including all races. In 2000, 81.6% of the total population in Detroit, MI are African American. Because of the large population of African Americans, Motown did not face the same obstacles that any other African American record company would face in other less African American populated areas. Motown also had the advantage of local appeal. Motown was also widely popular on African American radios, which also helped it become more well known and famous. Motown was also able to appeal to the other races in Detroit, Michigan, and throughout the country.Economic: The U.S. Census tells us that in 2000 out of a total of 35,017 businesses, 55.8% are owned by African Americans. One of these companies being Motown Records, which was begun by Barry Gordy Jr. Motown hired many African American singers, writers, musicians, and composers. They also hired people of other races, which helped their entertainment appeal to other races.
Educational: According to the U.S. Census, around 75-98% of children ages 14-17, including all races, attended school in the Detroit area. In 2000, 69.6% of the people in Detroit who attended school, aged 25 and up, graduated from high school, and only 11% received a bachelors degree or higher. Motown took the education of the people in Detroit very seriously. While the Vandellas were still in school, they dreamt of pursuing their musical careers. But Barry Gordy made it very clear to them that they would not allow them to pursue much farther if they did not finish high school. Education was valued because it insured you some kind of future. In the case of the Vandellas, if by some chance their musical career had not worked out, they would still have a good enough education to be hired for a suitable or more desirable job. Having a good education also generally meant you were more respected among other people and other races.
More about Motown:
These videos provide a good explanation on the history of Motown and their artists. It explains Motown's journey from the record company for unknown African American artists to being played on both black and white radios.Deep Soul The Up Rising of Motown: Part 1
Deep Soul The Up Rising of Motown: Part 2
Deep Soul The Up Rising of Motown: Part 3
Deep Soul The Up Rising of Motown: Part 4
Deep Soul The Up Rising of Motown: Part 5
Bibliography:
(2004). Historical Census Browser. Retrieved May 19, 2010, from the University of Virginia, Geospatial and Statistical Data Center: http://fisher.lib.virginia.edu/collections/
stats/histcensus/index.html.
"Where It All Begun." n. pag. Web. 24 May 2010. <http://www.motownmuseum.com/mtmpages/began2.html>.